Reed Recognized by Edison Electric Institute & International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers for Bipartisan Efforts to Help Vulnerable Families Afford Their Energy Bills

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), a leading member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, this week received the John D. Dingell Award from the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) in recognition of his dedicated support for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

LIHEAP is a crucial lifeline that keeps vulnerable citizens safe and warm during winter by helping low-income households and seniors on fixed incomes pay their energy bills. The program also helps reduce energy costs through improved energy efficiency initiatives. Nationwide, an estimated 6 million households received assistance with heating and cooling costs through LIHEAP over the last year.

Senator Reed was presented the award alongside U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), the Chair of the Appropriations Committee. Reed and Collins recently teamed up to lead a bipartisan group of 38 colleagues in urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to swiftly release the approximately $400 million in remaining Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding that Congress delivered in fiscal year (FY) 2026.

"I am honored to receive the John D. Dingell Award, named for a legendary public servant, and grateful to be recognized for championing LIHEAP, which is a critical program that helps tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders afford their energy bills," said Senator Reed. "LIHEAP assistance makes a huge difference for around 6 million households across the nation. As energy costs continue to skyrocket, I will continue to champion LIHEAP funding and other common-sense policies that lower utility bills and help working families get ahead."

Overriding the Trump Administration's attempt to eliminate LIHEAP, Reed, Collins, and U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) successfully led bipartisan efforts to provide a total of $4.045 billion for the program in fiscal year 2026 - a $20 million increase over the previous year. Much of that LIHEAP funding has already been distributed to help struggling families and seniors on fixed-incomes bridge the financial gap and pay their skyrocketing utility bills, including $24 million in LIHEAP aid delivered in November to help Rhode Island households.

The John D. Dingell Award is named for one of the longest-serving members of Congress and is presented to leaders who exemplify and promote labor-management cooperation and whose efforts have helped to advance common objectives of the electric power industry and IBEW members.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Tweet